Jury Convicts 20-Year-Old Of Smuggling $1 Million In Meth
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A federal jury has convicted Jaime Homero Guerrero of conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine announced Drug Enforcement (DEA) Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen S. Whipple and United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. The jury returned its verdicts today following more than two days of testimony and approximately five hours of deliberation.
Guerrero, 20, was a passenger in a 2010 Nissan on April 5, 2013, when it was stopped for a traffic violation on Highway 77 near Raymondville in Willacy County. At that time, officers found 36 packages containing a total of 26.16 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Guerrero initially stated he was headed from Matamoros, Mexico, to a Quincenera in Houston. He later claimed he was going to deliver the vehicle to Houston.
Also charged was Oraldo Arvey Castro-Rocha, who was driving the Nissan and later pleaded guilty.
At trial, agents testified the methamphetamine Guerrero and Castro smuggled was valued at nearly $1 million in the Houston area.
U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen, who presided over the trial, has set sentencing for April 28, 2014, at which time Guerrero faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years and up to life in federal prison on each count of conviction as well as a possible $10 million fine. He has been in custody since his arrest where he will remain pending sentencing.
The case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorneys Carrie Wirsing and David A. Lindenmuth prosecuted the case.
